User reviews

This series strikes just the right nerve with me. It portrays two people with an all cure drug fighting against Big Pharma, which in the precise moment this was released it is extremely topical and warranted.

The animation is alright, but it really spikes up during psychadelic scenes, in some ways reminescent of Scavengers Reign. The character designs are a bit of a mixed feeling: most characters have rather large heads that make them look like adult babies. Ah well.

The humor is usually pretty subdued, which is great as it allows for comedic moments to hit harder. The characters are just the right mixture of likeable and self-centered.

A strong recommendation.

Common Side Effects feels like the next great high-concept adult animation. The first two episodes blend dark humor, sharp social commentary, and surreal visuals in a way that's thought-provoking and inspiring. The story hits on corporate greed, the pharma industry, and human curiosity-but does so in a way that's weird and unpredictable. The writing is clever, the animation is unique, and the voice acting is spot-on. It's the kind of show that sticks with you after watching, leaving you excited for what's next. If the rest of the season keeps this pace, it'll be one of Adult Swim's GOAT shows for sure.

It's baffling how this animated series hasn't received the attention it truly deserves. With its unique storytelling, stunning animation, and well-developed characters, it stands out in an industry saturated with formulaic content.

The world-building is immersive, pulling viewers into a universe that feels alive and thoughtfully crafted. Each episode balances emotion, action, and humor seamlessly, keeping you invested from start to finish. Unlike many mainstream shows, this one takes creative risks, offering a refreshing break from the predictable tropes we've come to expect.

The voice acting is top-notch, perfectly bringing each character to life. The animation quality is exceptional, with every frame showcasing a level of detail and artistry that reflects the passion behind the project. The writing is intelligent and layered, rewarding attentive viewers with clever nuances and deeper themes.

It's a shame that this series hasn't reached a wider audience yet, but hopefully, more people will discover it in time. If you're looking for something truly special, give this a watch-you won't regret it.

Every aspect of this show is top-notch. The presentation, cinematography, animation, music, acting, dialogue, and story are all simply amazing. The story has just the right amount of sci-fi elements while still being grounded and believable.

If a mushroom like the one in the show existed in real life, I can definitely see some shady things going down by big pharma and the insurance companies to prevent it from reaching the public. This aspect of the show's storyline is very believable, and it's a scary aspect of modern civilization. I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

This show will definitely go down in the history books as a cult classic!

Had no idea about this show so went in totally blind. Seeing Mike Judge attached as the producer gave me high hopes and it does not disappoint. The animation style is really different and took a couple episodes to get used to but I love it now and it suits the tone of the show perfectly. The voice acting is great and the storyline of a guy being hunted down by big pharma for finding a cure all mushroom in the wild is refreshing and not something that has ever been done, especially when it comes to animation. I really hope that Adult Swim continues with this series and stick with the same writers etc. Because they really got a good one here. I give season 1 a solid 10/10 me and my partner both love it, it's really entertaining and the 22-25 minute episode run-times are perfect. Give it a watch, I'd definitely recommend it if you enjoy mature animation. It's also pretty funny at times and the intro is awesome.

This serie only gets better and better after every episode!! Really excited to see what will happen next. For mi it could be the best adult swim serie in the year. The pacing, soundtrack, the characters... Everything is just perfect. I love the originality of this show man. And the animation is just beautifull. Every scene has a lot of detail and you can see the effort that has put into this show. I love how the characters are made and how after every plot, at the next moment they surprise you with another plot twist. It's just one of my favorite adult swim series and its just starting. Very excited to see what is coming next.

It is very good, the animation seems to drop to some really low frame rates, but if you're used to animation/anime then there is nothing to say about that. The art style is just that, like Matt groening /Seth mcfarlane unique. Exposition is pushed in a very natural way, for example we learn about Cusco when the DEA/Francis are researching Cusco. The CEO Rick is voice by Mike Judge (beavis and butthead, Idiocarcy) is always playing a game on his phone never looking at anyone, The DEA duo obviously has a lesbian and I have only seen 2 episodes. I will change my review if they turn into a game of thrones/walking dead because a series is a whole not a collection of episodes you like.

I'd give it an 11/10 if I could! Common Side Effects is an incredible mix of drama, comedy, and action, and it completely exceeded my expectations. I even made an HBO Max account just to watch it! I saw the first episode on YouTube and was instantly hooked-the writing, art style, acting, and storytelling are all top-tier. The characters feel real, the humor is sharp, and the action keeps you engaged. We need more shows like this, and I really hope it gets a second season. If you haven't watched it yet, you're missing out! Adult swim really hit a home run with this one. I genuinely am praying it gets a season 2.

Just when I thought scavenger's reign was one of the best animated shows I've seen this gem comes along and puts me on a new road of awesomeness, I'm truly excited to have experienced this show unexpectedly..I don't know what yo say I loved every single episode like I was a kid Infront of TV diving into his favourite cartoon show.yes..this show actually made me feel that, and for that I'm giving it a solid 8 score, I just humbly hope the creators continue to be respectful towards the plot as well as every viewer who loved watching it, no need to rush anything keep it going as it is and develop characters and branch out to new stories that are interesting and suspenseful like previous episodes. I've been fan from the begining and I hope to continue on that path..best of luck to the team behind this wonderful show and thank you.

This show is outstanding. The fact that an adult swim animated series is this well written and executed is fairly surprising, The last show they had that was at this level was The Venture Bros, and this show leans significantly further towards the drama side of the aisle. It's highly impressive how good the storytelling and serialization for a late night animated series. The animation style is offbeat yet visually appealing. The voice acting is top notch and well suited for each character in the series. I cannot wait for new episodes, and I'm fairly confident in their ability to wrap up the season. Go watch this now!!

Update: After watching this to the penultimate episode idk it seems like it's going nowhere tbh. The story just meanders all over with little depth at any one stop. It does get very "we're all in it together" type of camp later which makes no sense when you consider the "magic" mushrooms threat to the big bogeyman industry we're presented with. Sure it's a revolving door with medical industries, which is shameful and corrupt in itself, but then this show has the "other" side of the lone gunman mythology with the silver bullet. The lone gunman of this cult takes different forms, lenin and company was surely one of those "grassroots" nonsense story, along with all the other lone gunman in the fantasy history we're force fed by this tribester-brickmason-invert cult.

The show likely isn't worth more then one season to watch, otherwise it's just more and more of the same dragging you along to some little guys beating the bad guys bid utopia nonsense. I think the marketing, including guerilla marketing with social media-ai etc of Ozempic is very similar to this "magic" mushroom heaven on earth nonsense.

I certainly won't be back for anything past season 1.

It's definitely interesting show and definitely starts right into it without too much slow get to know you episodes which is what really sank Scavengers Reign, a half a season or more of just shambling around which doesn't bring the more entertaining parts in until the second half, you can't build audience like that!

I think the premise is an old trope that definitely has truth to it. Not necessarily in the pharma field but in all of the tech and industries in various places. Just like the concept of interest on debt, copulating money in the compound part, rich get richer, those that control industries with their hidden monopolies are interested in "lifetime" customers and control. They will NOT tolerate things that they don't back themselves as the "next great thing" like electric cars and anything that is a boondoggle with climate tech. Similar to how the same people that owned cable and the studios also own the streaming services. No one outside or little guy would be tolerated if they had the knowlegde of them in time.

The casual way they do it with the flat humor is nice as well. I'm not that wowed by the animation style but it works.

Remember this is a show that is financed and such by the ptb so the strategy here is to turn stuff like this into over the top clownery so no one will believe it, seen that with all sorts of scientism and conspiracies that are true. Likely big pharma financed this on the sly in some way. The kabbalistic snake eating its own tail here, to fool you.

Mike Jewdge being a part of this certainly tells you that. The tribester that made idiocracy which is an exercise in making something they don't like into a laughing stock clownery. Idiocracy is PRO eugenics and many of the other sick beliefs the rulers have and want to impose on decent humanity. It's based on politics and not reality and same thing with this series.

The idea that the DEA is going to be involved is laughable, the rulers would just kidnap and disappear this guy and take the tech for themselves. Likely some of their programmed zombies of this cult would do it, if it got messy just give orders through the jwemsaonic hierarchy that pd and others need to stand down. It's a dirty system by a cult that does this all the time with contrived events and such.

So this calm and humourous depiction is just your average attempt at clownery to discredit. No doubt the medical-pharma industry is just about lifetime customers aka management and not really solving issues for most things. Symptoms instead of causes we've all seen it. The need to see a dr for refills and such, medical industry slavery at juiced exorbitant prices. The middle man makes a killing too. Nasty industry as a whole.

I'll start with this: Common Side Effects has an absolutely incredible foundation. The concept is brilliant, the atmosphere and the execution is stunning. The animation, art direction, and overall directing are top-tier, and the music is phenomenal. Everything about this show screams masterpiece in the making.

But for the love of all things good, please slow down. The pacing is so rushed that it completely undercuts wht could be a groundbreaking series. Right now, it's like being served a gourmet meal but being forced to scarf it down in seconds.

I'm giving this show 1 star not because it deserves it, but because I genuinely hope the creators take this to heart. This could be oneof the best sci-fi thrillers out there if it just allowed its story and characters to breathe. Unfortunately, Arcane Season 2 has the exact same issue-an amazing foundation that never quite reaches its full potential because it's sprinting when it should be walking.

To be clear, this is a premiere review based on the first two episodes. Maybe things will improve later, and I really hope they do. If the pacing were fixed, I'd rate this show so much higher. But as it stands, it's frustrating to see something this promising hold itself back.

I see a lot of reviews talking about the content of this show and while yes I love the writing and the story, I want to take a second to appreciate the animation. I'm a huge fan of very polished and clean animation but in storytelling I think that a more "unfinished" look causes you to care more about the story. Much like 'Carol & The End Of The World' the unique animation in this show makes you pay less attention to the characters and more attention to the story. This animation style is gorgeous when it wants to be and rather crude in most of the hard hitting dialogue heavy scenes. I'm obsessed with the way the animators draw you into small details in backgrounds somehow always introducing more thought provocation through minimalist artistry. Overall I gave the show a 10/10 for the animation simply because of that shifting animation effect. - imkingb.

Please for the love of God, the story is awesome but if this show is meant to be a comedy and drama, we need to care for the characters. Slowing down instead of rushing through the plot would be so much better, more episodes could be made, people would connect more and like the show more and overall the quality would be higher. I like to think of this show as kind of like the boys and breaking bad. Those shows had episodes where you got to know the characters and develop connections with them. And moments in this show seem to just skip important interesting parts! I want to see how marshall escapes instead of cutting to him being gone. I want to see him think his way through a situation and be creative! With the amount of characters being introduced, staying at this pacing won't allow for the viewer to get to know them all! And slowing down would allow for more jokes, visual and verbal.

What even genre is this show? I really don't know but it friggin rules and I love it. How is this not more popular? The sound design is insanely well done. This show oscillates between conspiracy and humor so naturally that I was completely mesmerized. The animation also has a style that is just perfectly suited to the shows feel and mood. Unsettling yet comical. And the pacing, it's so perfect. I cannot recommend it enough. Watch it. Just watch the first episode. If you finish the first episode and didn't laugh or at least find yourself unable to stop wondering what the frig is gonna happen next, it's likely not for you, but that won't happen. You'll finish the first episode, soak your electronics in a warm bath, and escape before They come to collect you....

Common Side Effects is nothing short of a revelation, a psychedelic gut-punch that cements Adult Swim's reputation as a playground for bold, boundary-pushing storytelling. This isn't just a show-it's a manifesto, a hallucinatory middle finger to Big Pharma wrapped in the most inventive animated package I've seen in years. Created by Joe Bennett and Steve Hely, with Mike Judge and Greg Daniels as executive producers, the series follows Marshall and Frances, two unlikely heroes who unearth the "Blue Angel" mushroom-a fungal miracle cure that sends them tumbling down a rabbit hole of corporate conspiracies, government goons, and existential weirdness. What unfolds is a narrative so tightly woven, so audaciously funny and poignant, that it demands to be called a masterpiece.

The animation alone is worth the price of admission: a warped, dreamlike aesthetic with distorted proportions and a color palette that feels like it's melting off the screen. Every frame drips with intention, amplifying the story's surreal stakes-especially in the mind-bending sequences where the mushrooms' effects take hold. Dave King and Emily Pendergast are phenomenal as Marshall and Frances, delivering performances that balance raw vulnerability with biting humor. Marshall's paranoid brilliance and Frances's conflicted pragmatism anchor the chaos, while the ensemble-particularly the hilariously inept DEA agents Copano and Harrington-adds layers of absurdity that somehow feel painfully real.

Where Common Side Effects truly shines is in its fearless writing. It skewers the healthcare industry with razor-sharp precision, exposing the absurdity of a system that prioritizes profit over people-executives debating "acceptable" side effects while patients suffer is both laugh-out-loud funny and chillingly accurate. Yet the show never feels heavy-handed; it trusts its audience to connect the dots. The humor is relentless, the drama earned, and the weekly pacing gives each twist room to breathe, building to revelations that hit like a freight train. It's a rare series that can make you cackle one minute and sit in stunned silence the next.

This isn't Rick and Morty, nor does it try to be. Common Side Effects is a singular beast, blending Coen Brothers-esque absurdity with X-Files paranoia and a dash of countercultural soul. It's the kind of show that redefines what animation can do, tackling massive ideas with a fearless, unapologetic edge. I can't recommend it enough-it's a perfect 10/10, a trippy, hilarious, and deeply human triumph that'll leave you questioning the world and craving more. Adult Swim has outdone itself; this is one fungus you'll want to catch.

Just finished episode 5. Some might say that it's too early to give the show a 10 star rating, since we're only halfway through, but god damn does this feel monumental.

Seriously on par with some of the absolute best shows ever made. Unless there's a sudden and strong dip in quality I fail to see how this could be anything but an absolute masterpiece.

Every single aspect is perfected! The animation is top notch. The cinematography is well thought-out. The acting is stellar all around and the sound design deserves an entire essay on its own. But if there's one thing I feel isn't talked about enough it's the pacing. Holy hell does this show move graciously. Not a single dull moment, or even frame.

Please, do yourself a favor and watch this the first chance you get.

"Common Side Effects" is more than just a series - it exposes the mechanisms of the real world. The suppression of alternative medicine, powerful lobbying interests, and targeted information filtering are ruthlessly unveiled. The plot feels eerily realistic, almost documentary-like, and is written with palpable passion. Every detail seems well thought out, the characters are authentic, and the tension remains high throughout. A bold series that provokes thought and reveals how deeply control and manipulation are embedded in our society. A must-watch for those who question the status quo. An absolute recommendation goes out from my side.

The 1990s are calling and they want their 20-minute episodes back. I had been waiting for this to release ever since seeing the trailer for the first time. This show is living up to its reputation, but could be so much better if it were extended beyond a coffee break. 20-minute episodes are so last millenium. Even if you did not want to do 20-minute episodes, it would have been better to slap them all together and create a movie out of it. When this hopefully renews, they should seriously consider extending the runtime of episodes to 30 minutes at the very least, if not 40 to 60 minutes per episode. I am looking forward to watching the remaining 160 minutes nonetheless.

First few episodes, this show was a 10. It was interesting, and seemed like it had a story to tell. I love shows that have a story to tell. Even though its on CN..its not funny at all.

But 6-7 episodes in now and its becoming clear that this show does not have a story to tell, but much like Prison Break, its just a hook. Its only trying to hook us so that it can milk 3-4 seasons out of it. It has no 1 season story to tell. And I hate that. Sure its still interesting. But the pace of the story is slowing to a crawl.

Lets waste a million dollar mushroom by getting high...and showing the same visuals weve already seen. Its not like a song that is interesting. It has no replay value. Its just what it is. A Hook SHow.

From the moment Common Side Effects graces the screen, it is abundantly clear this is no ordinary animated series. A fever dream of unsettling beauty and sharp social commentary, the show immerses its audience in a mind-bending odyssey as visually intoxicating as it is intellectually provocative.

Animation-fluid, striking, meticulously crafted,is a mesmerizing spectacle. Every frame pulses with eerie vibrancy, perfectly complementing the show's surreal yet painfully relevant themes. Cinematography, rarely a standout in animation, is nothing short of cinematic brilliance, with compositions that evoke a sense of unease, wonder, and profound reflection.

Voice acting is exceptional, breathing haunting authenticity into characters navigating a world where pharmaceutical giants wield unfathomable power. Every line is delivered with chilling sincerity, lingering long after the credits roll. And the story...oh, the story! Common Side Effects is not merely entertainment; it is a deep dive into the sinister machinations of Big Pharma, exploring labyrinthine moral complexities within a system designed to profit from human suffering.

Yet, what sets this show apart is its ability to make you think about concepts never even considered. It does not simply ask questions, it demands confrontation, unraveling, and reflection. Few series, animated or otherwise, possess the audacity to challenge perception itself, and Common Side Effects does so with artistry both disorienting and awe-inspiring.

In an era where media often spoon-feeds audiences comfortable narratives, Common Side Effects refuses to coddle. Brilliant, unsettling, utterly unmissable. A true work of art that will leave you questioning everything, right down to the nature of reality itself.